Chapter 62
People nearby were craning their necks, trying to sneak a look through the half-open car window. Lisette quickly walked up and got in the car.
Elliot hit the window button, cutting off all those nosy eyes, and only then did the crowd finally scatter.
Tobias was looking at stocks.
The sound of the car door snapping shut brought in a fresh, sweet fragrance. He closed his laptop, and the soft glow that had been lighting up his face disappeared.
He turned his head.
His gaze landed on Lisette’s face, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “You’re pretty happy today p>
“What p>
Lisette had one hand around a milk tea cup, the other brushing her cheek. “Is it that obvious p>
“Not from your face, but I can feel it.” Tobias reached out and casually took her milk tea. “So? What made you so happy? Spill p>
Lisette gave a cheeky grin, her eyes gleaming like a mischievous cat. “Bullied a girl today p>
Tobias answered without hesitation, “Then she must’ve deserved it. Probably up to no good p>
Lisette chuckled. “Why are you so sure p>
He didn’t even blink. “Anyone you don’t like can’t be any better p>
Lisette was stunned.
Wait, really? Was Mr. Hastings putting blind faith in her character?
Being trusted like that felt way too sweet. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, and Tobias’s gaze turned soft with warmth.
Meanwhile, poor Elliot up front: Seriously?! He already works under the boss all day long. Now even off the clock he has to watch them flirt nonstop? Was this his life now?
Whatever – since he was already suffering, he might as well speed up. So he pressed harder on the pedal, and the car surged forward.
Please, just get them home faster! He couldn’t take another second of this PDA-filled nightmare. His soul was full.
Just as the car picked up speed, something darted across the road. Elliot panicked and slammed the brake pedal.
Screeech-
The sudden jolt threw Lisette forward unexpectedly, but Tobias reached out just in time, catching her and pulling her into his arms.
Thud.
Her forehead collided hard with his rock-solid chest. She squinted in pain and groaned, “Ouch p>
Tobias looked down at her.
She was frowning, looking helpless and pitiful. He reached out gently, placing his hand on her head. “Did you hit it here p>
“Yeah p>
Lisette looked up, pouting slightly. “Is your chest made of steel or what p>
Tobias could only smile helplessly at her dramatic tone. He rubbed the spot gently, leaned in, and blew on it softly while lowering his voice; it came out as a low, warm murmur: “Then I’ll cut back on gym time. So next time, my chest won’t hurt you p>
Lisette: You serious right now?
That was completely off-script! She was trying to be upset here, and now he ruined the vibe with that sweet stuff!
Why was he so good at this p>
She’d been justifiably annoyed after being thrown around in the car for no reason. But now, with him coaxing her so patiently, she felt like her tiny tantrum was turning into plain old fussing p>
And her cheeks were burning up, damn it!
She pouted and mumbled, “It’s fine, no need to go soft or anything… Chest muscles look nice anyway p>
Tobias nodded like it was a done deal. “Then I’ll keep working out p>
Lisette gave a soft “mm” in response – a tiny apology hidden in her pout after acting like a brat. Tobias had a soft smile playing on his lips, his eyes gentle, and as he let out a breath, warm air brushed against her forehead. That clean, masculine scent of his subtly but powerfully invaded her senses-her nose, her mind, everything.
Lisette stared at him, dazed.
God, this man. Why does Mr. Hastings have to look so damn good?
Her gaze locked onto his face, eyes completely unblinking.
Under those intense eyes, Tobias leaned in just a little and asked softly, “Feeling any better p>
Their faces were just a couple of centimeters apart. That made Lisette jolt back to reality. She realized she’d basically been curled up in his arms, acting all clingy and coquettish. Embarrassment hit hard.
A flush crept up her face.
She wriggled out of his embrace, shook her head, and muttered, “Doesn’t hurt anymore.” Then, quickly looking away, she peeked out the window instead. “Wait-did Elliot just hit something p>
She yanked the car door open and stepped out.
Tobias followed right behind her.
Sure enough, Elliot had hit something. In front of the car, he stood frozen and helpless, staring at a stray dog lying on the ground, wheezing.
Seeing the couple approach, he blurted out nervously, “I didn’t mean to! It just ran out-it’s really hurting p>
It was clearly his first time dealing with something like this. He wanted to pick the dog up but was too scared he’d hurt it more, so he just stood there, flustered.
Lisette’s eyes dropped to the dog. It lay there gasping, eyes rolling back-clearly in a lot of pain.
“We’ve got to get it to a vet. Now p>
She couldn’t bear to just stand and watch it suffer. Without a second thought, she stepped forward to lift it up.
Before her hand could touch the dog, a pair of big hands stopped her.
Surprised, she turned her head. “Hm p>
Tobias quickly shrugged off his coat and tossed it to her. “Hold this,” he ordered coolly and crouched down, scooping the trembling stray into his arms.
Elliot gawked. “B-Boss… you p>
His boss was a total neat freak and perfectionist-clothes always crisp and immaculate. He couldn’t even stand wrinkles!
And here he was, hugging the filthy stray like it was nothing… and then getting into the car too.
Still stunned, Elliot didn’t move. Lisette, wrapped in Tobias’s coat, shot him a glare and snapped, “What are you waiting for? Drive! Get us to the hospital, fast p>
“Ah-yes! Got it p>
Snapping out of it, Elliot wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, got into the driver’s seat, and took off quickly.
In the backseat, Lisette’s eyes anxiously stayed on the dog in Tobias’s arms. It wasn’t doing well-the way it breathed sounded worse and worse.
Its long, dirty fur was all matted-clearly hadn’t had a bath in forever. The white fur had turned black in patches, clinging together like little dreadlocks. Before long, all that grime rubbed right into Tobias’s once-pristine white shirt.
And then-
Lisette’s eyes widened as she gasped, voice trembling, “It’s-it’s bleeding p>
Spots of blood stained the fabric of Tobias’s shirt, smudging over the dirt marks.
He glanced down, his brows knitting together.
Elliot, whose car had hit the dog, was already feeling horrible. The moment he heard it was bleeding, guilt surged again, and he slammed the gas pedal-racing toward the nearest city hospital.
At the hospital, Lisette pulled some strings using her Cavendish family name and got them an emergency room. A vet from a nearby clinic and the hospital’s deputy director rushed over to help.
Elliot, visibly panicked, paced back and forth like a spinning top. Every couple of steps, he’d steal a glance at the operating room door and mutter under his breath, “I swear I didn’t mean to… please be okay, please be okay p>
Lisette rubbed her temples, overwhelmed by the chaos.
Turning her head slightly, she looked over at Tobias – he p>